A ‘vertical footrace’ for a good cause

Up, up, up they will go on Saturday, raising awareness and money to fight lung disease.

The annual American Lung Association Seattle Fight for Air Climb up Rainier Tower, presented by Fidelity Investments, is sometimes called a “vertical footrace,” but the important thing is just finishing.

In addition to ascending a new building this year, organizers added options of climbing 40, 80, 120 or 160 flights total, making it one of the most ambitious stair-climb events across the country.

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“For first-time climbers to elite athletes, there is a challenge fit for anyone, and a real test of your own lung capacity,” said spokesman Joe Dann.

You can register as an individual or group at www.ClimbRainierTower.org . Climbers will receive commemorative “I Climbed Rainier” performance T-shirts.

And for details of a summer climb up Mount Rainier, go to www.climbforcleanair.com or attend an informational meeting at REI Seattle at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.